Water pipes & bongs
by Hemper
The Gnome Bong is a borosilicate glass water pipe shaped like a garden gnome, available in 27cm and 16cm sizes. The bowl sits at the end of one of the gnome's outstretched arms — so you're literally taking hits from a tiny bearded bloke. It's a novelty piece, yes, but the all-glass construction and proper water filtration mean it actually performs. Bongs filter smoke through water, which according to general smoking research cools the vapour and catches heavier particulates before they reach your lungs. This one just happens to look like it belongs on your nan's lawn.
The 16cm version is pocket-friendly — well, large pocket — and sits discreetly on a shelf between actual ornaments. It holds less water, so expect slightly warmer hits, but it's dead easy to clean and store. The 27cm version delivers noticeably cooler, smoother draws thanks to the larger water chamber. If you're using this as your daily driver, go 27cm. If it's a conversation starter for the coffee table or a gift for someone with a sense of humour, the 16cm does the job nicely.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Material | Borosilicate glass (full piece) |
| Height — small | 16cm |
| Height — large | 27cm |
| SKU — 16cm | HS2394 |
| SKU — 27cm | HS2395 |
| Bowl | Glass bowl integrated as gnome arm |
| Design | Gnome figure with blue hat and white beard |
| Filtration | Standard downstem water filtration |
| Joint type | Glass-on-glass |
Complete your setup with a decent grinder — the SLX Grinder keeps your herb fluffy and consistent for bowl packs. And if you want to keep the Gnome Bong sparkling between sessions, grab a bottle of Formula 420 cleaner. Resin builds up fast in novelty pieces with tight curves, and a proper cleaning solution saves you from wrestling with pipe cleaners for twenty minutes.
Novelty bongs get a bad reputation. Fair enough — plenty of them are flimsy acrylic nightmares that crack after three uses and taste like a chemistry set. The Gnome Bong sidesteps that entirely because it's made from borosilicate glass throughout. That's the same heat-resistant glass used in lab equipment and decent kitchen pyrex. No paint on the inside, no plastic components in the airpath, no metal bowl that heats up and burns your fingers. Just glass touching glass touching water touching smoke.
The gnome's arm doubles as the bowl holder, which is genuinely clever engineering disguised as a joke. You pack the bowl in the gnome's outstretched hand, light up, and draw through the top of the hat. The water chamber sits in the gnome's body. It's a proper functioning bong that happens to have a fluffy white beard and a dazzling blue hat. We've handled both sizes in the shop, and the glass feels solid — not paper-thin like some novelty pieces. The 27cm version has a satisfying weight to it, around the heft of a decent pint glass when empty.
One honest limitation: cleaning. Any bong with irregular shapes and curves requires more effort than a straight tube. The gnome's body has contours that can trap resin in spots a brush won't easily reach. Use a salt-and-isopropanol shake or a dedicated bong cleaner, and clean it before residue hardens. If you let it build up for weeks, you'll be soaking it overnight. That said, this applies to basically every shaped glass piece — it's the trade-off for having something that doesn't look like laboratory equipment on your shelf.
If you're deciding between this and a regular beaker bong, here's what you're actually weighing up. A standard 27cm beaker bong will be easier to clean, slightly more stable on a flat surface, and marginally more efficient in terms of airflow. The Gnome Bong trades a fraction of that practicality for personality. It's a piece people pick up, laugh at, and actually remember. Both filter smoke through water identically. Both use glass-on-glass bowls. The difference is entirely in form factor and character.
| Feature | Gnome Bong (27cm) | Standard Beaker Bong (27cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Borosilicate glass | Borosilicate glass |
| Filtration | Downstem water filtration | Downstem water filtration |
| Ease of cleaning | Moderate — irregular shape | Easy — wide base, straight neck |
| Stability | Good — wide gnome base | Excellent — flat beaker bottom |
| Conversation factor | Through the roof | Minimal |
| Gift potential | Outstanding | Functional but forgettable |
Using the Gnome Bong is straightforward — it works like any glass water pipe, just with more personality.
We've been selling bongs since 1999, and shaped glass pieces have come a long way. Ten years ago, a novelty bong meant cheap glass and dodgy seals. The Gnome Bong is a different animal — the glass-on-glass joints seal properly, the bowl sits securely in the arm socket, and the base is wide enough that it doesn't topple when you set it down. We'd pick this over any acrylic novelty piece without hesitation. It's the best gnome bong for anyone who wants a functional water pipe that doubles as a shelf ornament.
The 16cm version weighs noticeably less and feels more delicate in the hand — treat it gently. The 27cm has that reassuring thickness. If you're buying this as a gift (and honestly, about half the people who grab one are buying it for someone else), the 27cm lands better. It's got presence. The small one is cute, but the big one makes people properly laugh.
Yes. The entire piece — body, downstem, bowl, and gnome details — is borosilicate glass. There are no plastic, metal, or silicone components in the airpath. Glass-on-glass means cleaner taste and no degradation over time.
Pour coarse salt and isopropyl alcohol (90%+) into the chamber, cover all openings, and shake vigorously for 60-90 seconds. The salt acts as an abrasive against resin buildup. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. For stubborn spots in the gnome's curves, soak overnight before shaking. Clean weekly if you use it daily.
Water filtration primarily cools the smoke and traps heavier tar particles and water-soluble compounds. Some active compounds may be minimally absorbed by water, but the effect is negligible in practical terms. The main benefit is a smoother, cooler draw compared to dry pipes.
The 27cm version delivers cooler hits, holds more water, and feels sturdier. Go with that if it's your regular piece. The 16cm is better as a travel-friendly option or a novelty gift — it's functional but the smaller water chamber means slightly warmer smoke.
The bowl uses a standard glass-on-glass joint. If the arm-mounted bowl cracks, you can replace it with any compatible glass bowl that fits the joint size. Measure the joint diameter before ordering a replacement — most standard bowls from our smokeshop category will fit.
Surprisingly, yes. The gnome's base is wide and flat, giving it a lower centre of gravity than you'd expect from a novelty piece. The 27cm version is particularly stable. That said, don't leave it on the edge of a table — it's still glass, and gravity is unforgiving.
Fill until the water sits about 2-3cm above the bottom of the downstem. For the 16cm model, that's roughly 80-100ml. For the 27cm, around 150-200ml. Tip: blow gently into the mouthpiece — if you get splashback on your lips, pour a bit out.
Last updated: April 2026
